Terry Pratchett Nac Mac Feegle Reading Letters

I beloved board games, groovy books, Curiosity films, and other geek favorites. I mostly read sci-fi and fantasy novels.

Pratchett'south Novels Make Lively Audiobooks

Terry Pratchett is my favorite writer, solely due to his delightful Discworld novels. Many people take written nigh this popular fantasy serial, but they seem to ignore the sound versions of the books, which I think is their all-time format.

Pratchett'due south books truly shine in audio grade; the humour comes through vividly when performed by a skilled narrator. I've listened to 20-one of his novels and read three in impress. To my mind, there'southward no comparison: the Discworld audiobooks are a treat not to exist missed.

Heard Whatsoever of the "Discworld" Audiobooks?

The Discworld

A summary for the uninitiated

The Discworld is a flat planet balanced on the back of four massive elephants, which in plow stand up on the shell of a giant turtle flying through space. Aren't you glad you asked? Seriously, though, the physical structure of the Discworld isn't particularly of import and isn't mentioned all that often; information technology'south the broadest of settings, brought alive by its inhabitants.

The Disc is populated by humans, gods, trolls, dwarfs, wizards, witches, vampires, werewolves, gnomes, golems, and other people; all of the characters, including Death, display the unique personalities, characteristics, goals, and dreams possessed by typical humans. Pratchett uses his various bandage to successfully poke fun at pretty much everything and has been hailed as a primary satirist. (He was also knighted in 2009 and designated an Officeholder of the Gild of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998, for "services to literature.")

In that location are currently almost xl books in the Discworld series. While Pratchett has a broad array of characters that appear and re-appear, most of the novels tend to revolve around a specific person or group of people. There are several books each devoted to the witches, the Ankh-Morpork Metropolis Watch, the inept sorcerer Rincewind, the wizards of Unseen Academy, the Nac Mac Feegle, and Decease. At that place are also two novels near con-man Moist von Lipwig and many fantabulous standalone stories such equally Pyramids, Small Gods, and The Truth.

Poll: Favorite Character

Because there are and then many characters in the Discworld, I can't include them all in the poll. I've tried to include all the major characters who are in at least two books. Characters are listed in groups: Death, the wizards, the witches, so on.

Moist von Lipwig, Ankh-Morpork's Postmaster

The books about reformed con-man Moist von Lipwig are two of the newer Discworld novels, which makes them among the most affordable in CD format. Going Postal is a nifty introduction to the serial; it was the second Discworld book I read and my first Discworld audiobook. Information technology's very funny and extremely accessible, even if you don't know annihilation nigh the Disc. (It involves overhauling the long-defunct postal service —something well-nigh readers should appreciate!) This title was my father'south first exposure to Terry Pratchett, and it'southward withal his favorite. And it made my Elevation V listing!

The second book, Making Money, puts Moist in charge of Anhk-Morpork'southward troubled cyberbanking organisation. While I didn't similar it quite as much as the first, information technology's however an excellent read, full of quirky situations and opportunities for Moist to exercise what he does all-time: give people a show.

A tertiary volume featuring Moist von Lipwig (Raising Steam) was 1 of Pratchett'south last Discworld stories, only I institute information technology highly disappointing, and so much and then that I didn't even stop it. It'southward a shame; Moist is a slap-up grapheme (as is his romantic interest, Adora Belle Dearheart), and I would have loved to read another adventure on par with the first two. Unfortunately, this ane seemed to lack direction and couldn't concur my interest, and so I suggest y'all pass on this title.

The Discworld'south Decease

I love the Death novels. Opposite to what you might think, Death is a very funny character; he wants to be similar humans and practice human being things, but never quite gets it right. (Death is the ultimate directly man in any comedic situation.) He appears in nearly every Discworld novel and is prominently featured in quite a few of them: Mort, Reaper Man, Soul Music, Hogfather, and Thief of Time. The audiobooks that focus on his character are difficult to find, merely definitely worth having.

The Ankh-Morpork Sentinel

The watchmen are an eclectic group of characters led by Sam Vimes, who rivals Death for my favorite character on the Disc. At that place are actually several more than Watch books than I've included hither simply about (Guards! Guards!, Men at Arms, Feet of Clay, Jingo, and Night Watch) are very hard to observe and very expensive. The titles below are my absolute favorites of the spotter books, although unfortunately they're still expensive unless yous're lucky enough to find a used copy at a proficient price.

The 5th Elephant was my offset Watch volume and is a dandy identify to start; in it, the watchmen travel to Uberwald, which is the Disc'south answer to Transylvania, and meet vampires, werewolves, the native dwarves, and a scattering of Igors. (Trust me, y'all haven't lived until yous've heard nigh the Igors.) It's yet my favorite of the Night Watch titles, with Thud! being a shut second.

The concluding Watch title, Snuff , is available on sound, only after reading the mixed reviews, I opted for the cheaper e-book. I found information technology very disappointing, and I tin't recommend information technology. I feel a scrap disloyal saying that, but I have to agree with the reviewers: it's not of the same quality every bit Pratchett's previous novels. In fact, some reviewers suggested that Pratchett may not have actually written this one due to the progression of his battle with Alzheimer'south, and I wondered nearly that myself; there are some bits that definitely depart from Pratchett's normal fashion. Bottom line: I don't recommend Snuff, no matter how much you want to read another Vimes novel.

Poll: Best Series

Best Discworld Novels

My acme five picks

Picking my favorite Discworld audiobooks was tough—and picking only five was even tougher, since I could easily recommend nearly all of the ones I've heard. But I finally whittled the list downward to the ones I've enjoyed nigh. So here are my meridian five Discworld books, in the gild I suggest you lot endeavor them.

Going Postal : Main swindler Moist von Lipwig is put in charge of reviving the Ankh-Morpork postal service function—a long-defunct bureaucracy that'southward all but forgotten and full of decades of undelivered post. But Moist has enough of tricks upward his sleeve, and some helpers: elderly postmen, an orphan, a Golem, and Adora Belle Dearheart (head of the Golem Trust and the adult female Moist wants to marry). This was my first Discworld audiobook, and information technology's a swell place to first.
The Truth : The Discworld gets its first newspaper! But there are nasty people who don't want the truth to get out. While the volume contains cameo appearances by the Watch, zombie lawyer Mr. Slant, Gaspode, Foul Ol' Ron, Mr. Dibbler, and others, the story and the humor are easily accessible if yous're a Discworld novice.
The Fifth Elephant: Commander Sam Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork Metropolis Watch is going to Uberwald, the Disc'south answer to Transylvania, in the proper noun of diplomacy. There, he and his entourage meet vampires, werewolves, and a handful of Igors. It's a supernatural fun-fest, finding lots of humor in monster-movie stereotypes. The story also delves deeper into dwarf culture, adding to the class attributes sketched out in earlier novels.
Thief of Fourth dimension: This title may be a chip challenging to the uninitiated, just it's an excellent entry. In it, nosotros take Death (e'er a crowd-pleaser), his granddaughter Susan, the History Monks, and the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, all working to prevent the auditors from stopping time forever. The History Monks are a fascinating bunch, having fun with Eastern stereotypes and even adding a James Bail touch via the gadget-making monk Qu. At that place'due south an Igor in this ane likewise, and you can't beat a good Igor.
Thud!: Another City Watch murder mystery, with a heavy focus on dwarf culture. This book continues to build on the detailed globe revealed in The Fifth Elephant. And a vampire joins the Watch, which makes for some interesting species rivalries with the Watch'due south werewolf, Angua.

In case you're curious most the also-rans, Hogfather (a Death novel), Making Coin (the sequel to Going Postal), Pyramids (a standalone novel that delves into the Assassins Guild and pokes fun at Egyptian lore), Small Gods (which skewers organized religion) and Nighttime Watch (a Watch book featuring History Monks Lu-Tze and Qu) were all stiff contenders for the list.

Who's the Best Narrator?

The audiobooks I've heard have been narrated by either Nigel Planer, who read virtually of the earlier Pratchett titles, or Stephen Briggs, the later reader. On Audible.com, the reviews are split: some people are fervently in the Planer camp, while others are simply as emphatic that Briggs is the better narrator. Personally, I prefer Briggs, who has a livelier, more than engaging style—although I doubtable that for most people, their preference lies with whichever reader they heard showtime.

Why Option Audiobooks?

I love audiobooks considering they continue your mind entertained when your hands are busy. They're peculiarly great for the daily commute, and I savor hearing them when I'm exercising, cleaning the firm, or making crafts.

Audiobooks too bring a new dimension to the story; a good performance brings out the voices of the characters and the inflection of their dialogue. I find humor peculiarly suited to the sound format: Terry Pratchett makes me chuckle when I read his work, simply the sound versions make me laugh out loud.

I purchased my audiobooks as a member of Audible, an Amazon.com company. The membership programs are the best deal since yous become i or 2 titles a month for about the cost of a hardcover, and you lot can cancel whatsoever time. (The audiobooks are yours to keep forever.)

Talk Terry Pratchett, Discworld, or audiobooks

fisheagle lm on October 21, 2013:

Hi, I really enjoy the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett. Have not read all the dissimilar series, mainly just the ones with Rincewind in them. Will be interesting to hear them read past a skilled narrator. Thanks for a great lens

BlowDryBar on Baronial 16, 2013:

What a corking way to experience Pratchett's works.

Margaret Schindel from Massachusetts on May 22, 2013:

I adore Pratchett'due south work and I've listened to all of his books (equally well every bit read a number of them in hard copy). You've done a fantastic job of introducing new readers to Pratchett (for which I'1000 sure they will cheers)!

nifwlseirff on February 08, 2013:

I'thou glad to hear that the Discworld books have skilled narrators! They would indeed make for swell audiobooks - I must seek them out! I love Discworld, but take very piddling fourth dimension to read (and am only upwardly to ten or so). Audio versions audio perfect!

Trisha Cornelius from Gauteng, South Africa on Oct 09, 2012:

How-do-you-do, I've really just listened to Tony Robinson reading the Colour of Magic (Terry Pratchett is British and therefore I tin spell color properly, with a "u"). Unfortunately, it was an abridged version of the book which did exclude some of my favourite jokes. Just audiobooks do take a place, only wish they were not and so expensive.

BusinessSarah on Jan 17, 2012:

Interesting! My first introduction to audiobooks was sort of accidental -- I bought William Shatner's almost recent autobiography, got a few chapters in, and finally realized that it's much more entertaining imagining his voice in my head reading the book than it is to actually read the book. Duhhhhh. (And the residue is history -- I've listened probably ten times by now.) I keep pregnant to read more of Terry Pratchett, but I can never find the time -- I think an audiobook while cooking or doing dishes is the way to become!

Thank you for the tips! Squidblessed :)

Edutopia on Jan 02, 2012:

I never fifty-fifty thought about getting a Pratchett book on audio simply equally shortly as I saw the championship something just clicked in my caput and information technology fabricated perfect sense.

LeopoldBlatt on Nov 28, 2011:

I love audiobooks because I spend and then much time driving. I accept 'read' many books equally a result. Splendid lens, enjoyed reading and remembering all the great Discworld characters.

Tiggered on March 28, 2011:

Hi to the beau Pratchetteer :) Groovy idea for a lens. Discworld audiobooks are the one and just bedtime story for me :)

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